The experience gained through past and present work on electrically driven space-conditioning equipment is augmented by past R&D activities on heat-activated air conditioners and heat pumps. This information can be extremely useful to current and future engine-driven heat pump developments. Through coverage of the last 50 years and analysis of a significant amount of largely scattered and often private information, we have singled out those items that can provide direct guidance and/or useful technical and economic perspectives for the current effort, even under different marketing strategies. Important results are highlighted, including an overall assessment of past R&D contributions to the science and technology of space conditioning and refrigeration and to the marketing of gas equipment.

Units: I-P